News
Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, and South Carolina can now access to federal broadband funds to implement the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
Four states have been cleared begin requesting access to BEAD program funds.
The announcement from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) described the news as “a major step towards closing the digital divide.”
States and territories are approved to begin requesting access to BEAD funds once their initial BEAD proposals are approved.
NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson congratulated all four states for developing strong proposals.
“Today, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, and South Carolina can move their Internet for All efforts from planning to action,” Davidson said.
Of the states that saw their initial proposals approved this week, Georgia has the largest allocation of funds in the BEAD program.
According to the NTIA, over $1.3 billion has been allotted for Georgia in the BEAD program, which is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Minnesota has been appropriated over $651 million in the program. Meanwhile, South Carolina has been appropriated over $551 million and Iowa has been appropriated over $415 million in BEAD funds.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said securing federal resources is the latest step Georgia has taken to extend high-speed internet access to more residents.
“Since day one, my administration has prioritized bringing opportunity to all parts of our state, including those areas often overlooked,” he said.
In the upper Midwest, Minnesota Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek called broadband one of the best strategies for Minnesota’s growing economy.
Thanks to our federal partners, we will have another way to help more people connect to high-speed broadband, allowing Minnesotans to launch a business, access online education or skills training and participate in our economy – no matter where they are in our state,” Varilek said, according to the NTIA’s Sept. 26 release.
In South Carolina, Jim Stritzinger, the director of the South Carolina Broadband Office (SCBBO), said the announcement comes during a transformational time for the state.
“To date, we have made incredible progress, and we are grateful for the unwavering support of Governor (Henry) McMaster, the South Carolina General Assembly, our Congressional delegation and other federal partners, our internet service providers, and, of course, my colleagues in the SCBBO/SC Office of Regulatory Staff, who have worked tirelessly to reach this special moment,” Stritzinger said. “Today, we thank the entire team at NTIA for the collaboration to get our Initial Proposal approved.”
September has seen a blizzard of NTIA approvals for initial BEAD proposals.
Nebraska, Mississippi, South Dakota, Michigan, American Samoa, Idaho, and North Dakota also saw initial BEAD proposal approvals from the NTIA this month.
All states first submitted their initial proposals in 2023.
Throughout 2024, the NTIA has continued to announce approvals for states and territories on a rolling basis.
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